An interesting walk from the almond groves of Murtes. Up through the contorted strata of the slightly grim Barranco Negre to a high “Shangri La” cultivated valley with cherry orchards. Followed immediately by a surprise return to the 21st centuary as the main road and restaurant complex near the Col de Rates hove into view. Superb views back to the Sierra Ferrer and on down into the valley of the Jalon River.
Best done late Feb/ early March or in April to catch either the almond or cherry blossom.
As usual the use of secateurs and gloves is invaluable to clear the path for yourselves and successors.
Not muddy after rain.
55% Tracks, 40% Paths. 5% Roads.
Click here for map and directions
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WELCOME FROM MICHAEL
My purpose is to pass on these walks so you can enjoy them as much as I have. I want you to use them freely for non commercial purposes. Perhaps a donation to your favourite charity?
The normal hazards in mountains apply but generally the conditions are benign, some cold and wet in winter, possibly the heat in summer is more dangerous. My personal advice is not to leave the paths as ground can be covered with spiky bushes concealing ankle breaking rocks. By "road" I mean surfaced, by "track" an unsurfaced one,(often rough). Paths vary from beautifully engineered mozarabic "muleways" to very rough hunters or goat paths. Updates are welcome.I am very grateful to Terry, my wife, who has helped to explore all the paths and often helped to clear them.
Of course I owe much to my predecessors, especially my early mentor, Cristl. Batnick,who helped to found the excellent Costa Blanca Mountain Walking group. Also the early explorers, Roger Massingham, Bob Stansfield, (all on the web), and Eric Wright,(www.openlibrary.org/b/OL11958879M).Many walks are made possible by the generosity of the landowners, especially the Spanish, who allow walking on their land,please treat their property with respect.
Being computer illiterate this website would not exist but for the enthusiastic, energetic and expert work of Jean and Bob Hall. Many thanks to them. Their website ,which complements this one, plus, is: www.costablancamountainwalks.com.
Mike Davies. Dec 2009.
"take the track going straight on and then zig zagging down the S side of the Sardia valley beneath the Penya Talai, "
ReplyDeleteThis was a little confusing - better to state "keep to the north side of Penya Talai" as this is the feature shown on the map.
This track has beet severly eroded by recent flood water and has exposed fossils in the clay as well as destroying the track. It is now quite difficult to walk down, making the difficulty to now be 'medium/hard'.
Rgds - Phil & Jan Chaney. 965743439. 10/3/10.